EP2489318A1

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Info

Publication number: EP2489318A1
Application number: EP12155726A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Arlan J. Reschke; Jeffrey M. Roy
Original assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
Current assignee: Covidien LP
Priority date: 2011-02-17
Filing date: 2012-02-16
Publication date: 2012-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2032-02-16
Also published as: US9017370B2; US20120215215A1; EP2489318B1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an end effector assembly (100) including first and second jaw members (110,120) and a knife body (130). The first and second jaw members have a curved configuration and are disposed in opposed relation to each other. One or both of the jaw members include a ledge (122b), a first knife channel (123) and a second knife channel (121). The ledge is disposed along the length of one of the jaw members. The first knife channel is defined along the length of a portion of the ledge. The second knife channel is defined along the length of a portion of the jaw member, and below a bottom portion of the ledge such that the ledge covers a portion of the second knife channel. The knife body includes a knife blade at a distal end thereof and a recessed portion (134) proximal to the knife blade.

Description

BACKGROUNDTechnical Field

The present disclosure relates to surgical instruments. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to surgical instruments having sealing and cutting capabilities.

Description of Related Art

During a typical surgical procedure, for example, an open or endoscopic electrosurgical procedure, a clinician may, in certain circumstances, have to remove an electrosurgical instrument from an operative site, substitute a new instrument, and accurately sever a vessel, which was previously electrosurgically treated. As can be appreciated, this additional step may be both time consuming (particularly when treating multiple operative sites) and may contribute to imprecise separation of the tissue due to the misalignment or misplacement of the severing instrument along the previously electrosurgically treated tissue.

Many surgical instruments have been designed which incorporate a knife blade or blade member that effectively severs the tissue after an electrosurgical procedure has been performed. For example, commonly-owned U.S. Patent Nos. 7,083,618 and7,101,371 describe one such electrosurgical instrument that effectively seals and cuts tissue along the formed tissue seal. Other instruments include blade members or shearing members which simply cut tissue in a mechanical and/or electromechanical manner and are relatively ineffective for electrosurgical procedures.
In some instances, during a cutting procedure, the knife blade tends to dislodge from the knife channel or intended knife path (e.g., bow upwards) during actuation, which may cause the knife blade to lock up and inefficiently cut tissue. In other instances, during a cutting stroke, the knife blade member may frictionally drag alongside the knife channel, giving a user a false sense that a cut was successfully performed.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members and a knife body. The first and second jaw members may have a curved configuration and are disposed in opposed relation to each other. One or both of the jaw members are moveable from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the first and second jaw members includes a tissue grasping surface, which may be an electrically conductive sealing surface. One or both of the jaw members include a ledge, a first knife channel and a second knife channel. The ledge is disposed along the length of one of the jaw members. The ledge includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The first knife channel is defined along the length of a portion of the ledge. The second knife channel is defined along the length of a portion of the jaw member, and below the bottom portion of the ledge such that the ledge covers a portion of the second knife channel. The knife body includes a knife blade at a distal end thereof and a recessed portion proximal to the knife blade. In this configuration, the knife blade travels within the first knife channel and the recessed portion travels within the second knife channel. In an embodiment, the knife blade extends upwardly beyond the top portion of the ledge and the recessed portion is captured at least in part beneath the bottom portion of ledge during travel of the knife body.
In embodiments, each of the jaw members includes an electrode plate for sealing tissue, and includes another ledge. The knife blade may be configured to cam along the first knife channels and the recessed portion may be configured to cam along the second knife channel under a bottom portion of the ledge.
In embodiments, the knife body is translated along an apex of the curved jaw members such that the knife body flexes to maintain a radius to reduce friction along the wall of the knife channel. A sharp cutting edge may be defined on proximal and distal portions of the knife blade such that when the knife blade is translated in a distal direction, the distal portion of knife blade cuts tissue a first time, and when the knife blade is translated proximal direction, the proximal portion of the knife blade cuts tissue a second time.
The bottom portion of the ledge may be configured to capture the recessed portion of the knife body to prevent the knife body from dislodging in an upward, distal direction and out of the first knife channel.
In embodiments, the top portions of the electrode plates oppose each other and are configured to contact and grasp tissue when the jaw members are approximated towards each other in the closed position.
The present disclosure also relates to an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members and a knife body. The first and second jaw members may have a curved configuration and are disposed in opposed relation to each other. One or both of the jaw members are moveable from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. Further, one or both of the jaw members may include a tissue grasping plate, which may be an electrode plate, a first knife channel and a second knife channel. The electrode plate for sealing tissue includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The first knife channel defined along the length of a portion of the electrode plate. The second knife channel defined along the length of a portion of the jaw member below the bottom portion of the electrode plate. The knife body includes a knife blade at a distal end thereof and a slot defined therein. The slot is configured to span along at least a portion of a length of the knife body. The knife body includes a top portion that is disposed above the slot, and a bottom portion that is disposed below the slot. In this configuration, the knife blade is configured to cam along at least one of the first knife channels and the slot is configured to receive the electrode plate.
In embodiments, the knife body is translated along an apex of the curved jaw members such that the knife body flexes to maintain a radius to reduce friction along the wall of the knife channel. The top portion of the knife body may be configured to cam below the bottom portion of the electrode plate of the first jaw member, and the bottom portion of the knife body may be configured to cam below the bottom portion of the electrode plate of the second jaw member.
In embodiments, the slot is configured to capture a portion of the electrode plate and the bottom portion of the electrode plate cams along one or both of the top and bottom portions of the knife body. The slot may be configured to capture the bottom surface of the electrode plate to prevent knife splay and maintains the jaw members in the second, closed position.
In embodiments, the knife blade is translated in a distal direction through the second knife channel to thereby cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.
The present disclosure further relates to an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members and a knife body. The first and second jaw members are disposed in opposed relation to each other. One or both of the jaw members are moveable from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members may include an electrode plate and first and second knife channels. The electrode plate for sealing tissue includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The first knife channel is defined along the length of a portion of the electrode plate and the second knife channel is defined along the length of a portion of the jaw member below the bottom portion of the electrode plate. Further, the knife body includes a knife blade at a distal end thereof and a slot defined therein. The slot is configured to span along at least a portion of a length of the knife body. The knife body includes a top portion that is disposed above the slot, and a bottom portion that is disposed below the slot. In this configuration, the knife body includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, the knife body having a tapered configuration such that a width of the proximal portion is larger than a width of the distal portion. In an embodiment, part of the electrode plate of the first and/or second jaw members is captured in the slot between the top and bottom portions of the knife body when the knife blade travels within the knife channel.
In embodiments, the proximal portion of the slot cams the bottom portion of the electrode plate, as the knife body is translated in a distal direction, and maintains the first and second jaw members in the second, closed position.
In embodiments, the slot of the knife body includes a distal portion that tapers towards a proximal portion such that as the knife body is translated in a distal direction the slot exerts pressure towards inner edges of the electrode plates. In an embodiment, at least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source to communicate energy to tissue disposed between the jaw members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the endoscopic forceps including an end effector assembly ofFig. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the open forceps including an end effector assembly ofFig. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 2 is a rear, cut-out, perspective view of a jaw member of an end effector assembly showing a knife body actuated therethrough, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 3 is a side, elevational view of the knife body ofFig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a front, cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly ofFig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a top, plan view of the jaw member ofFig. 2 showing the knife body actuated therethrough, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 6 is a rear, cut-out, perspective view of a jaw member of an end effector assembly showing a knife body actuated therethrough, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 7 is a side, elevational view of the knife body ofFig. 6;
Fig. is a front, cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly ofFig. 6;
Fig. 9 is a top, plan view of the jaw member and the knife body actuated therethrough, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 10 is a side, perspective view of a knife body of an end effector assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figs. 11A and 11B are top, plan views of a jaw member showing the knife body ofFig. 10 in an unactuated position and an actuated position, respectively;
Fig. 12 is a front, cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly taken along the lines 12-12 ofFig. 11B, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Fig. 13 is a side, elevational view of a knife body of an end effector assembly, according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the presently disclosed electrosurgical instrument are described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify scimitar or identical elements. As used herein, the term "distal" refers to that portion which is further from a user while the term "proximal" refers to that portion which is closer to a user.
In general, the present disclosure relates to a cutting assembly that is configured to capture and retain a knife body within a knife channel of a jaw member during translation thereof. In embodiments, the knife body includes a recessed portion and a blade portion. In this configuration, the recessed portion of the knife body is captured and retained within the knife channel and below an electrode plate of an electrode, while the blade portion of the knife body travels within the knife channel and above the electrode plate to cut tissue grasped between jaw members.
In other embodiments, the knife body includes an elongated slot that is configured to capture the inner peripheral edges of the top and bottom electrode plates. In this configuration, as the knife body travels along the knife channel (e.g., in a curved jaw member) during tissue division, the elongated slot captures the edges of the top and bottom electrode plates to prevent the jaw members from separating (e.g., opening). The aforementioned embodiments and other embodiments are described in greater detail below.
Referring now to the figures,Fig. 1A depicts anendoscopic forceps 10 as used in correlation with endoscopic surgical procedures andFig. 1B depicts an open forceps 10' as used in correlation with open surgical procedures. For the purposes herein, either an endoscopic instrument or an open surgical instrument may be utilized with the novel cutting assembly described herein. It should be noted that different electrical and mechanical connections and other considerations may apply to each particular type of instrument. However, the novel aspects with respect to the cutting assembly described herein and the operating characteristics thereof remain generally consistent with respect to both the endoscopic or open surgical designs.
Theforceps 10 is coupled to an electrosurgical energy source and is configured to seal tissue using radiofrequency (RF) energy. The electrosurgical energy source (e.g., generator 40) is configured to output various types of energy, such as RF energy having any suitable frequency.Forceps 10 is coupled togenerator 40 via acable 34 that is adapted to transmit the appropriate energy and control signals therebetween.
Forceps 10 is configured to support an end effector assembly, 100 and typically includes various conventional features (e.g., ahousing 20, ahandle assembly 22, a rotatingassembly 18, and a trigger assembly 30) that enable a pair ofjaw members 110 and 120 to mutually cooperate to grasp, seal and divide tissue. Handleassembly 22 includes amoveable handle 24 and a fixedhandle 26 that is integral withhousing 20.Handle 24 is moveable relative to fixedhandle 26 to actuate thejaw members 110 and 120 via a drive assembly (not explicitly shown) to grasp and treat tissue.Forceps 10 also includes ashaft 12 having adistal portion 16 that mechanically engagesend effector assembly 100 and aproximal portion 14 that mechanically engageshousing 20 proximaterotating assembly 18 disposed onhousing 20. Rotatingassembly 18 is mechanically associated withshaft 12 such that rotational movement of rotatingassembly 18 imparts similar rotational movement toshaft 12 which, in turn, rotatesend effector assembly 100.
End effector assembly 100 includesjaw members 110 and 120 each having anelectrode 112 and 122, respectively, associated therewith and on an inner facing surface thereof. One or both of thejaw members 110 and 120 are pivotable about apivot pin 19 and are movable from a first position wherein thejaw members 110 and 120 are spaced relative to another, to a second position wherein thejaw members 110 and 120 are closed and cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. As discussed in more detail below,end effector assembly 100 is adapted for use with an RF energy source.
More particularly,electrodes 112 and 122 are connected togenerator 40 and configured to communicate electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween.Electrodes 112 and 122 cooperate to grasp, coagulate, seal, cut, and/or sense tissue held therebetween upon application of energy fromgenerator 40.
Trigger assembly 30 is configured to actuate a knife body (as shown inFigs. 2-4) disposed withinforceps 10 and between thejaw members 110 and 120 to selectively sever tissue that is grasped betweenjaw members 110 and 120.Switch assembly 32 is configured to allow a user to selectively provide electrosurgical energy to endeffector assembly 100. Acable 34 connects theforceps 10 togenerator 40 to provide electrosurgical energy (e.g., RF energy) to thejaw members 110 and 120 through various conductive paths and ultimately to endeffector assembly 100.
Referring now toFig. 1B, an open forceps 10' is depicted and includes end effector assembly 100 (similar to forceps 10) that is attached to a handle assembly 20' having a pair of elongated shaft portions 12a' and 12b'. Each elongated shaft portion 12a' and 12b' has aproximal end 14a' and 14b', respectively, and adistal end 16a' and 16b', respectively, Similar toforceps 10,end effector assembly 100 includesjaw members 110 and 120 that attach todistal ends 16a' and 16b' of shafts 12a' and 12b', respectively.Jaw members 110 and 120 are connected about a pivot pin 19' to allowjaw members 110 and 120 to pivot relative to one another from the first to second positions for treating tissue (as described above).
Each shaft 12a' and 12b' includes ahandle 17a' and 17b', respectively, disposed at theproximal end 14a' and 14b' thereof.Handles 17a' and 17b' facilitate movement of the shafts 12a' and 12b' relative to one another which, in turn, pivot thejaw members 110 and 120 from an open position such that thejaw members 110 and 120 are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a clamped or closed position such that thejaw members 110 and 120 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween.
Forceps 10' includes a trigger assembly 30' (similar to forceps 10) that is configured to actuate a knife body 130 (as shown inFig. 2-4) disposed withinshaft 12b'. Theknife body 130 is configured to allow a user to selectively sever tissue that is grasped betweenjaw members 110 and 120. One or more of the shafts, e.g., shaft 12a', includes a switch assembly 32' (similar to forceps 10) that is configured to allow a user to selectively provide electrical energy to theend effector assembly 100. In a similar fashion toforceps 10,cable 34 of forceps 10' is internally divided within theshaft 12b' to transmit electrosurgical energy through various conductive pathways to the components ofend effector assembly 100.
Referring now toFigs. 2-4,end effector assembly 100 includes a pair of opposingjaw members 110, 120 each defining aknife channel 111, 121, respectively therein.Knife channels 111 and 121 are configured to allow aknife body 130 to pass therethrough whenknife body 130 is selectively actuated by a user in order to sever tissue grasped betweenjaw members 110 and 120.Jaw members 110 and 120 each includerespective electrode plates 112 and 122 that are disposed atop thejaw members 110 and 120. Eachelectrode plate 112, 122 includes a top portion (e.g., tissue contacting surface) 112a, 122a, respectively, and abottom portion 112b, 122b, respectively.
Top portions 112a and 122a ofelectrode plates 112 and 122 oppose each other, and are configured to contact and grasp tissue whenjaw members 110 and 120 are approximated towards each other in a closed position.Top portions 112a and 122a also provide for a tissue treating surface area for treating tissue (e.g., sealing and coagulation).
Eachelectrode plate 112, 122 defines arespective knife channel 113, 123 to allow access for aknife blade 132 ofknife body 130 to pass therethrough. A portion ofelectrode plate 112, 122 forms a ledge overknife channel 111, 121, respectively. In this configuration, a part ofbottom portion 112b, 122b (e.g., the ledge) is overknife channel 111, 121 such that a portion ofelectrode plate 112, 122 (e.g., the ledge) coversknife channel 111, 121.
Knife channels 111 and 121 andknife channels 113 and 123 are configured to span along thejaw members 110 and 120 in either a straight configuration (e.g., along a longitudinal axis) or a curved configuration whenjaw members 110 and 120 have a curved jaw configuration, as shown inFigs. 2, 4 and5.
In some embodiments,electrode plates 112 and 122 may be attached to thejaw member 110, 120 by stamping, by overmolding, by casting, by overmolding a casting, by coating a casting, by overmolding a stamped electrically conductive sealing plate and/or by overmolding a metal injection molded seal plate or in other ways customary in the art. All of these manufacturing techniques may be employed to producejaw member 110 and 120 having an electricallyconductive electrode plates 112 and 122 disposed thereon for contacting and treating tissue.
As discussed above,knife body 130 includes aknife blade 132 that is positioned on a distal end ofknife body 130. A sharp cutting edge may be defined on both proximal and distal portions, 132a and 132b, ofknife blade 132. In this manner, when theknife blade 132 is translated or reciprocated in a distal direction,distal portion 132b ofknife blade 132 cuts and divides tissue that is grasped betweenjaw members 110 and 120. Additionally, when theknife blade 132 is translated or reciprocated in a returning proximal direction,proximal portion 132a ofknife blade 132 cuts and divides tissue a second time in a proximal direction.Knife body 130 also includes a recessedportion 134 that is tapered downwardly (e.g., a height less than the height of knife channel 121) such that recessedportion 134 is captured and retained underneath abottom portion 122b ofelectrode plate 122.
During use, whenjaw members 110 and 120 are in the closed, second position and have grasped tissue therebetween,knife trigger assembly 30 is actuated by a user to causeknife body 130 to translate in a distal direction alongjaw members 110 and 120. Accordingly, recessedportion 134 translates throughknife channel 121 whileknife blade 132 translates throughknife channels 111, 113, and 123 to thereby cut tissue disposed betweenjaw members 110 and 120 (e.g., along a tissue seal). Typically, when a curved jaw member configuration is utilized, recessedportion 134 is captured withinknife channel 121 and underneathbottom portion 122b ofelectrode plate 122, since recessedportion 134 has a lower profile (e.g., reduced height) thanknife channel 121. In this configuration, only recessedportion 134 is contained withinknife channel 121 where it is captured and/or guided, thus reducing knife splay and allowsknife body 130 to travel in a guided, designated path. Further, recessedportion 134 allowsknife body 30 to maintain symmetrical strength while cutting tissue and provides structural support in order to maintain cutting forces focused in the cutting direction.
In other embodiments and as depicted inFig. 5, depending on the manufacturing and material ofknife body 130,knife body 130 may be translated along an apex 140 ofjaw member 120 such thatknife body 130 is slightly flexed thus maintaining a large radius, which, in turn, results to less friction along the wall ofknife channel 121. In this manner,knife blade 132 cams alongknife channels 111, 113, and 123 ofelectrode plate 122 while at the same time recessedportion 134 cams alongknife channel 121 ofjaw member 120. Further, ifknife body 130 is urged in an upward direction (e.g. during actuation of knife body 130),bottom portion 122b ofelectrode plate 122 contains and/or captures recessedportion 134 to thereby preventknife body 130 from dislodging fromknife channel 121. This novel configuration prevents knife splaying which may result to unsuccessful tissue treatment.
Referring now toFigs. 6-8, another embodiment ofend effector assembly 100 will be described and generally depicted asend effector assembly 200.End effector assembly 200 includes a pair of opposingjaw members 210 and 220, each defining aknife channel 211 and 221 therethrough, respectively.Knife channels 211 and 221 are configured to facilitate reciprocation ofknife body 230 therethrough whenknife body 230 is selectively actuated by a user in order to sever tissue grasped betweenjaw members 210 and 220.Jaw members 210 and 220 each include anelectrode plate 212, 222, respectively, that is disposed atop thejaw members 210 and 220. Eachelectrode plate 212, 222 includes atop portion 212a and 222a (e.g., tissue contacting surface), respectively, and abottom portion 212b, 222b, respectively.
In the embodiment shown,top portion 212a, 222a ofelectrode plate 212, 222 is configured to contact tissue whenjaw members 210 and 220 are approximated towards each other in a closed position. Thetop portion 212a, 222a may also provide the primary energy and surface area for treating tissue (e.g., sealing and coagulation). Eachelectrode plate 212 and 222 defines achannel 213, 223 to allow access for aknife blade 232 ofknife body 230 to pass therethrough.Knife channels 211 and 221 andknife channels 213 and 223 are configured to span along thejaw members 210 and 220 in either a straight configuration or a curved configuration, depending on the configuration of thejaw members 210 and 220.
Knife body 230 includes aknife blade 232 that is positioned on a distal end ofknife body 230. A sharp cutting edge is be defined on adistal portion 232a ofknife blade 232. In this manner, when theknife blade 232 is translated or reciprocated in a distal direction,distal portion 232a ofknife blade 232 may cut and dissect tissue that is grasped betweenjaw members 210 and 220.Knife body 230 includes aslot portion 234 defined therein that spans along a portion ofknife body 230. In this configuration,knife body 230 includes atop portion 231 that is disposed aboveslot 234 and abottom portion 233 that is disposed belowslot 234.
During use, and typically with a curved jaw configuration, whenjaw members 210 and 220 are in the closed, second position and have grasped tissue therebetween,knife trigger assembly 30 is actuated by a user to causeknife body 230 to translate in a distal direction alongjaw members 210 and 220. Accordingly,top portion 231 andbottom portion 233, respectively,cam bottom portions 212b, 222b ofelectrode plates 212, 222. At the same time,knife blade 232 translates in a distal direction throughknife channels 213 and 223 to thereby cut tissue disposed betweenjaw members 210 and 220 along a tissue seal.
In this configuration,slot portion 234 ofknife body 230 is guided alongbottom portions 212b and 222b ofelectrode plates 212 and 222 to preventknife body 230 from splaying. Further, whenknife body 230 is in an actuated position,slot portion 234 maintains and capturesbottom portions 212b and 222b ofelectrode plates 212 and 222 to preventjaw members 210 and 220 from opening to a first, open position. Conversely, thebottom portions 212b and 22b prevent theknife body 230 from dislodging from the preferred knife path.
In some embodiments, and as depicted inFig. 9, depending on the manufacturing and material ofknife body 230,knife body 230 may be translated along an apex 240 ofjaw member 220 such thatknife body 230 is slightly flexed and maintains a large radius, which, in turn, results to less friction along the wall ofknife channel 221. In this manner,knife blade 232 cams alongknife channels 213 and 223 ofelectrode plates 212 and 222, while at the sametime top portion 231 andbottom portion 233 captures the inner edges ofelectrode plates 212 and 222. In addition, an advantage to configuring ablade 240 withslot 234 is that no additional mechanisms are required to preventjaw members 210 and 220 from opening when theblade 240 is deployed.
Turning now toFigs. 10-13, another embodiment ofend effector assembly 100 will be described and generally depicted asend effector assembly 300.End effector assembly 300 includesjaw members 310 and 320 that are similar to the other jaw members (e.g., 110, 120, 210, and 220) described above, and, as such, only the novel features ofend effector assembly 300 will be described.End effector assembly 300 includes aknife body 330 having aproximal portion 330a and adistal portion 330b.Knife body 330 has a tapered configuration such thatproximal portion 330a has a width that is larger than a width ofdistal portion 330b. That is,proximal portion 330a tapers inwardly towardsdistal portion 330b, as shown inFigs. 10, 11A and 11B.Knife body 330 includes aknife blade 332 atdistal portion 330b.Knife body 330 further includes aslot 334 defined therein that has atop portion 331 and abottom portion 333.
In use, after thejaw members 310 and 320 are approximated in the closed, second position to grasp tissue therebetween,knife trigger assembly 30 is actuated by a user to causeknife body 330 to translate in a distal direction alongjaw members 310 and 320. Asknife body 330 is translated in a distal direction, the wider,proximal portion 330a approachesjaw members 310 and 320 such thattop portion 331 andbottom portion 333 engagebottom portions 312b and 322b ofelectrode plates 312 throughknife channels 311 and 321. Asknife body 330 is distally translated,knife blade 332 of thedistal portion 330b moves alongknife channels 313 and 323 to thereby cut any tissue that is grasped betweenjaw members 310 and 320 (e.g., along a tissue seal). In this configuration, the wideproximal portion 330a oftapered knife body 330 captures and maintainsjaw members 310 and 320 in a second, closed configuration during a tissue cut. Conversely, thebottom portions 312b and 322b prevent theknife body 330 from dislodging from the preferred knife path.
In other embodiments, as shown inFig. 13,slot portion 334 ofknife body 330 includes adistal portion 334b that tapers towards aproximal portion 334a such thatdistal portion 334 has a height that is larger than a height ofproximal portion 334a. In this configuration, whenjaw members 310 and 320 have tissue grasped therebetween and a tissue cut is necessary,knife body 330 is selectively translated by a user in a distal direction. Asknife body 330 is distally translated throughknife channels 313 and 323 (as shown inFig. 12), the taperedslot portion 334 engagesbottom surfaces 312b and 322b of theelectrode plates 312 and 322 and applies pressure to thejaw members 310 and 320 to apply further pressure to tissue.
While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

An end effector assembly, comprising:
first and second jaw members having a curved configuration and disposed in opposed relation to each other, at least one of the jaw members moveable from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the first and second jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface, and at least one of the jaw members including:
a ledge disposed along the length of the at least one of the jaw members, the ledge including a top portion and a bottom portion;
a first knife channel defined along the length of at least a portion of the ledge,and
a second knife channel defined along the length of at least a portion of the jaw member, and below the bottom portion of the ledge such that the ledge covers a portion of the second knife channel ; and
a knife body including a knife blade at a distal end thereof and a recessed portion proximal to the knife blade, wherein the knife blade is configured to travel within the first knife channel and the recessed portion is configured to travel within the second knife channel.
An end effector assembly according to Claim 1, wherein each of the jaw members includes an electrode plate for sealing tissue, and includes a ledge.
An end effector assembly according to Claim I or 2, wherein the knife blade is configured to cam along the first knife channel and the recessed portion is configured to cam along the second knife channel under a bottom portion of the ledge.
An end effector assembly according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the knife body is translated along an apex of the curved jaw members such that the knife body flexes to maintain a radius to reduce friction along the wall of the knife channel.
An end effector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom portion of the ledge captures the recessed portion of the knife body to prevent the knife body from dislodging in an upward, distal direction and out of the first knife channel.
An end effector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source to communicate energy to tissue disposed between the jaw members.
An end effector assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the top portions of the electrode plates oppose each other and are configured to contact and grasp tissue when the jaw members are approximated towards each other in the closed position.
An end effector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a sharp cutting edge is defined on proximal and distal portions of the knife blade such that when the knife blade is translated in a distal direction, the distal portion of knife blade cuts tissue a first time, and when the knife blade is translated proximal direction, the proximal portion of the knife blade cuts tissue a second time.
An end effector assembly, comprising:
first and second jaw members having a curved configuration, and disposed in opposed relation to each other, at least one of the jaw members moveable from a first, open position to a second, closed position for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members including:
an electrode plate for sealing tissue including a top portion and a bottom portion;
a first knife channel defined along the length of at least a portion of the electrode plate;
a second knife channel defined along the length of at least a portion of the jaw member below the bottom portion of the electrode plate; and
a knife body including a knife blade at a distal end thereof and a slot defined therein, the slot configured to span along at least a portion of a length of the knife body, the knife body including a top portion disposed above the slot, and a bottom portion disposed below the slot, wherein the knife blade is configured to cam along at least one of the first knife channels and the slot is configured to receive the electrode plate.
An end effector assembly according to Claim 9, wherein the knife body is translated along an apex of the curved jaw members such that the knife body flexes to maintain a radius to reduce friction along the wall of the knife channel.
An end effector assembly according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the top portion of the knife body cams below the bottom portion of the electrode plate of the first jaw member, and the bottom portion of the knife body cams below the bottom portion of the electrode plate of the second jaw member.
An end effector assembly according to Claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the slot is configured to capture a portion of the electrode plate and the bottom portion of the electrode plate cams along at least one of the top and bottom portions of the knife body.
An end effector assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the knife blade translates in a distal direction through the second knife channel to thereby cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.
An end effector assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the slot captures the bottom surface of the electrode plate to prevent knife splay and maintain the jaw members in the second, closed position.
An end effector assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein at least one of the jaw members is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source to communicate energy to tissue disposed between the jaw members.